A Swindon man has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for operating a fake rental scam that targeted innocent renters. David Russell, 36, of Fleet Street, was convicted of fraud after deceiving multiple victims with bogus property advertisements online.
Russell was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on February 20 after admitting guilt to five counts of fraud committed between April 2023 and March 2024. The scam involved posting fake rental listings on Facebook, where victims believed they were dealing with legitimate landlords or property managers.
In reality, Russell was offering properties mainly listed on Airbnb, tricking renters into paying for flats they never actually rented. This left victims out of pocket and without the accommodation they thought they had secured.
One victim told the court, “Russell seemed like a nice man, and I didn’t suspect a thing. It was only when we went to the flat to sign the tenancy that we knew something was wrong. He wasn’t there and told us to let ourselves in with a door code. It felt strange, like a scam. I hated he gave me permission to enter a flat that wasn’t his. I felt like I’d done something wrong.”
Detective Deborah Jones, who led the investigation, highlighted the serious impact of such crimes: “Russell is an experienced fraudster who exploited people’s trust, pretending to be a professional landlord. He left victims out of pocket and sometimes homeless, robbing them of deposits and decent housing.” She also praised those who came forward and thanked Wiltshire Police for their efforts in bringing Russell to justice.
Members of the public who suspect they have been targeted by rental scams are urged to report non-emergency fraud online via the Wiltshire Police website. In emergencies, dial 999. Fraud crimes can also be reported to Action Fraud UK, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.
Originally published by UKNIP.
